Thread dyeing apparatus



M h 6 19 2 D. PELLEGRIN! THREAD DYEING APPARATUS Filed June 16, 1959 INVENTOR DANTE PELLEGRINI Unite States This invention relates to an apparatus to be used for dyeing thread. More particularly, this invention relates to apparatus which dyes thread to a suitable shade for current use in sewing.

It has long been believed that it would be advantageous and convenient to provide an apparatus whereby thread can be dyed to a suitable shade at the time a sewing operation is to be performed. Previously, it has been the practice for one preparing to sew an article to purchase a quantity of thread of the proper shade or as proximate thereto as was available. This practice was not completely satisfactory for the reason that thread of the correct shade could not always be obtained and, moreover, it was usually uneconomical for the reason more thread was purchased than was needed for certain operations. More recently the commercially available shades of thread have become quite numerous, however, it is still necessary to purchase the particular thread required in the retail market and the same lack of economy and convenience persists.

I have discovered that by preparing white cotton thread in a particular manner, it can be dyed by the apparatus embodying my invention in an expedient manner. It is also possible, by the use of the apparatus embodying my invention, to dye White thread prepared as described hereinafter with any shade of color and the color is substantially fast.

Briefly, to describe my invention, I provide a basically flat housing, being of less thickness than the length of an ordinary sewing needle; i.e., in the order of from one-half /2) to one (1) inch, and defining a plurality of chambers therein which chambers extend substantially through the said housing and are filled with basic dyes in liquid mixture. The confining means on each end of the said chambers is comprised in a thin diaphragm of a material in the order of neoprene or rubber which can be pierced by a sewing needle and, upon removal of the needle, seal the pierced point against leakage of the liquid dye mixture. In the embodiment of my invention shown in the accompanying drawings, I cover the thin diaphragms on each side of my apparatus with a sheet of fabric, upon which are imprinted colors and shades and which are arranged so that the imprinted portion is directly over the end of a chamber containing a dye corresponding to the imprinted color or shade. It will be understood, of course, that these reference color spots may be applied in numerous ways, as by imprinting them directly upon the thin diaphragms.

Also defined by the said housing, I provide a receptacle for holding a spool of white thread which has been prepared as described hereinafter.

In the use of my apparatus a needle is threaded with a quantity of the said prepared thread, the chamber containing the suitable dye is chosen by reference to the imprinted cover, the needle is forced therethrough and the thread drawn thereafter, thereby dyeing the thread the desired color. If, upon singular passage through the chamber filled with dye, the shade of the thread is not sufiiciently deep, the operation may readily be repeated to increase the amount of color in the thread.

Referring now to the drawings:

FIGURE I is an elevational view of my thread dyeing apparatus showing a fabric covering on the viewable side thereof, from which said covering the imprinted colors and shades have been omitted to avoid confusion in depicting my invention.

atent O 3,023,599 Patented Mar. 6, 1962 FIGURE 11 is a cross-sectional view through my thread dyeing apparatus, taken in the plane of section line 11-11 of FIGURE I and showing a sewing needle and thread with the said needle inserted through one of the chambers in my apparatus in position for drawing the thread therethrough.

In the embodiment of my invention shown in the drawings, the numeral 1 indicates a basically cylindrical housing defining a plurality of chambers 2 therein. A different color or shade of dye 3 in liquid mixture is con fined in each of the said chambers 2 by thin diaphragms 4 of a pierceable material being capable of sealing against liquid leakage. A fabric covering 5 is engaged to each of the diaphragms 4 and corresponding color spots (not shown) are imprinted upon the said coverings 5 to indicate the color of dye contained thereunder. A needle 6 and thread 7 are shown in position for proceeding to dye the thread. The receptacle 8 in the center of my apparatus is provided for holding shown) available for ready use.

It is well known, of course, that substantially all of the dyes in prior use in the art which were fast were induced into the fabric by boiling or, at least, in aheated state. In order to eliminate this problem for the use of my apparatus, as I have stated hereinbefore, I prepare the thread, before it is dyed in my apparatus, by employing a mordant to insure fastness of the dye.

The thread contemplated for use with my apparatus is cotton and is first thoroughly wetted with water. An aqueous solution containing five percentum (5%) to eight percentum (8%) of tannic acid by volume is raised to aproximately 140 F. and the wetted thread introduced thereinto. Heating is continued and the temperature of the bath is gradually and consistently raised to the order of 200 F. during one (1) hour of cooking, during which time the bath and thread are slowly agitated. The aqueous solution and the thread being treated are then allowed to cool to a temperature of from F. to F. over a period of 2 to 4 hours, during which the slow agitation is constantly continued. Then the thread is introduced into an aqueous solution containing two and one-half percentum (2 /2%) to four percentum (4%) of tartar emetic by volume and is slowly agitated therein for fifteen (15) minutes. Thereupon, the thread is thoroughly rinsed in cold water and dried. The thread is then ready for use with my apparatus and a fast color is induced into the thread upon passage through my apparatus.

The dyes which I employ in my apparatus are prepared by adding to one 1) gram of dry basic dye which is commercially available, eight (8) drops of glacail acetic acid. This mixture is diluted to the desired fluid consistency with a solution comprising eightyfive (85) parts of Water and fifteen (15) parts of methanol by volume. To this diluent it is advantageous, but not essential, to add a small amount, as in the order of one-half percentum /2%) by volume, of a wetting agent. The basic dyes which I have employed in my apparatus, are the well known coal tar dyes. However, other dyes can be employed satisfactorily in my apparatus, it being important, merely, that the said dyes may be transformed into a solution of a constituency which will function effectively in my apparatus to dye the thread.

The embodiment of my invention which I have shown in the accompanying drawings is basically in the form of a short cylindrical prism. It is to be understood that this is not to be construed as a limitation, it being entirely feasible for my apparatus to be constructed in many diiferent shapes and sizes. It should be further understood that the quantity and shape of the dye chambers defined in my apparatus is not essential to the a spool of thread (not novelty of my invention, it being important merely that there be defined, within my apparatus, a dye chamber or chambers arranged in such an order that a thread or threads may be inserted thereinto and drawn therethrough.

It is important to notice that the thin, self-sealing diat phragms 4 of my apparatus provide a wiping action to the thread after it has passed through the dye chamber. This feature of my invention results in the thread being readily available for use in sewing very quickly after it has been dyed to the desired color or shade.

Obviously, certain changes may be made in the embodiment of my invention as described herein. It is understood that certain modifications in my invention may be made within the scope of this specification and the appended claims without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. A thread dyeing apparatus comprising a housing defining therein a chamber, pierceable self-sealing means comprising at least two opposed sides of the said chamber, and liquid dye confined in the said chamber.

2. A thread dyeing apparatus comprising a housing defining therein a plurality of chambers, pierceable selfsealing means comprising at least two opposed sides of each of the said chambers, and liquid dye of variant colors and shades confined in the said chambers.

3. A thread dyeing apparatus comprising a housing having a bore therethrough in the order of approximately one-half /z) inch in length, pierceable selfsealing membrane engaging the said housing and sealing both ends of the said bore to define a closed chamber, and liquid dye confined in the said chamber.

4. A thread dyeing apparatus in accordance with claim 3, wherein a thin sheet of neoprene comprises the pierceable self-sealing membrane.

5. A thread dyeing apparatus comprising a housing having a plurality of bores therethrough each of said bores being in the order of approximately one-half /2') inch in length, pierceable self-sealing membrane engaging the said housing and sealing both ends of the said bores to define a plurality of closed chambers, and liquid dye of variant colors and shades confined in the said chambers.

6. A thread dyeing apparatus in accordance with claim 5, wherein a thin sheet of neoprene comprises the pierceable self-sealing membrane.

7. A thread dyeing apparatus comprising a housing having a bore therethrough in the order of approximately one-half /2) inch in length, pierceable self-sealing membrane engaging the said housing and sealing both ends of the said bore to define a closed chamber, liquid dye confined in the said chamber, and a color spot affixed to the said membrane in the position corresponding to each end of the said bore and corresponding in color to the dye confined in the said chamber.

8. A thread dyeing apparatus comprising a housing having a plurality of bores therethrough, each of the said bores being in the order of approximately one-half (V2) inch in length, pierceable self-sealing membrane engaging the said housing and sealing both ends of the said bores to define a plurality of closed chambers, liquid dye of variant colors and shades confined in the said chambers, and color spots afiixed to the said membrane in the positions corresponding to each end of the said bores and corresponding in color to the dyes confined in the said chambers.

9. A thread dyeing apparatus comprising a housing defining therein a chamber, membranes comprising oppositely disposed sides of the said chamber, the said membranes being self-sealing to the pierce of a sewing needle, and liquid dye confined in the said chamber.

10. A thread dyeing apparatus comprising a housing defining therein a plurality of chambers, membranes engaging the said housing and comprising the oppositely disposed sides of the said chambers, the said membranes being self-sealing to the pierce of a sewing needle, and liquid dye of variant colors and shades confined in the said chambers.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,783,956 Cook Dec. 9, 1930 2,247,346 Blair July 1, 1941 2,251,501 Smith Aug. 5, 1941 2,310,764 Denhof Feb. 9, 1943 2,393,578 Waite Jan. 22, 1946 2,406,903 =Rethorst Sept. 3, 1946 2,421,613 Gray June 3, 1947 2,522,071 Tait Sept. 12, 1950 2,712,297 McGrew July 5, 1955 

